Improvement in watch-keys



G. W. HARRIS.

WATCH-KEY.

No. 191,338. Patented May 2-9, I877.

NJEIEES, PHOTD LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINQTON. D. Q

Urrn STATES GEORGE W. HARRIS, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATCH-KEYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 191 ,338, dated May 29, 1877; application filed I January 20, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HARRIS, of Sturgis, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Watch-Keys, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon. which form a part of this specificatioinand in which- Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of my invention, and Fig. 2 a side view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

My invention has relation to an improved construction of watch-key, in which provision is made for readily closing the opening in the stem which winds the watch, so as to exclude dust or rubbish; and it consists of a rounded spring-handle having recessed jaws, and provided with a square standard, upon which a reversible stem slides, and is adapted for operation, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the square shank-or standard, firmly secured at its lower end to the bottom of the rounded spring-handle F, and resting loosely at its upper'end between the jaws E, forming the upper part of the handle F. The cylindrical stem B is of the same length as that of the square standard, and is provided with a square opening its entire length, which is adapted to fit over, and slide loosely upon, the square standard A between the jaws E.

Upon the sides of the stem B are rounded logs or projections O, which are adapted to catch into the slots D in the jaws E when the key is extended ready for use.

It will be observed that the stem B, when not in use, is pushed down its full length upon the square shank or standard A, and until the square opening in the stem is completely closed by the said shank, thereby preventing the lodgment of dust or rubbish in the opening which winds the watch; and when desired for use the stem B is pushed upward by means of the small disk at the bottom until the lugs O catch into the slots D in thejaws E, holding the stem in position ready for use.

It will also be observed that when one end of the stem becomes split or worn from constant use it can be reversed upon the square shank, thereby rendering the construction one of great convenience, economy, and ctticiency.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and useful As an improved article of manufacture, the hereinbefore-described watch-key, consisting of the spring-handle F, having jaws E, provided with slots D, square standard A, adapted to receive the reversible sliding stem B, having lugs O, the several parts being arranged and combined to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

GEORGE W. HARRIS.

Witnesses:

E. W. PENDLETON, WM. MCLOUGHLIN. 

